Protests rock Egypt

For the second time in Egypt's tumultuous 2 ½ years of upheaval, the powerful army appears to be positioned to remove the country's leader. But this time, it would be ousting a democratically elected president, the first in Egypt's history — making its move potentially explosive.

July 3, 2013 10:28 AM

Photo: AP

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An Egyptian opposition protester holds a chairr and knife during a clash between supporters and opponents of President Mohammed Morsi in downtown Damietta, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. he deadline on the military's ultimatum to President Mohammed Morsi has expired, with 48 hours passing since the time it was issued. Giant cheering crowds of Morsi's opponents have been gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square and other locations nationwide, waving flags furiously in expection that the military will act to remove the Islamist president after the deadline ends. less

An Egyptian opposition protester holds a chairr and knife during a clash between supporters and opponents of President Mohammed Morsi in downtown Damietta, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. he deadline on the ... more

An Egyptian opposition protester is beaten by supporters of Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi, as a main raises a brick overhead, in downtown Damietta, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. he deadline on the military's ultimatum to President Mohammed Morsi has expired, with 48 hours passing since the time it was issued. Giant cheering crowds of Morsi's opponents have been gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square and other locations nationwide, waving flags furiously in expection that the military will act to remove the Islamist president after the deadline ends. less

An Egyptian opposition protester is beaten by supporters of Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi, as a main raises a brick overhead, in downtown Damietta, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. he deadline on the ... more

Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi wave national flags during a protest outside the presidential palace, in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. The deadline on the military's ultimatum to President Mohammed Morsi has expired, with 48 hours passing since the time it was issued. Giant cheering crowds of Morsi's opponents have been gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square and other locations nationwide, waving flags furiously in expection that the military will act to remove the Islamist president after the deadline ends. less

Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi wave national flags during a protest outside the presidential palace, in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. The deadline on the military's ultimatum to ... more

Supporters of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi chant slogans during a rally, in Nasser City, Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Egypt's military moved to tighten its control on key institutions Wednesday, even putting officers in the newsroom of state TV, in preparation for an almost certain push to remove the country's Islamist president when an afternoon ultimatum expires. less

Supporters of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi chant slogans during a rally, in Nasser City, Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Egypt's military moved to tighten its control on key institutions ... more

A supporter of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi holds a stick during a rally, in Nasser City, Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Arabic on the green card reads, "stay where you are, the shariya (legitimacy) and the people are with you." Egypt's military moved to tighten its control on key institutions Wednesday, even putting officers in the newsroom of state TV, in preparation for an almost certain push to remove the country's Islamist president when an afternoon ultimatum expires. less

A supporter of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi holds a stick during a rally, in Nasser City, Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Arabic on the green card reads, "stay where you are, the shariya ... more

A man kisses a poster with the photograph of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi during a rally, in Nasser City, Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Egypt's military moved to tighten its control on key institutions Wednesday, even putting officers in the newsroom of state TV, in preparation for an almost certain push to remove the country's Islamist president when an afternoon ultimatum expires. less

A man kisses a poster with the photograph of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi during a rally, in Nasser City, Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Egypt's military moved to tighten its control on ... more

Photo: AP

A man kisses a poster with the photograph of Egypt's Islamist... Photo-4874730.65742 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Supporters of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi chant slogans during a rally, in Nasser City, Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. The green card with Arabic reads, "stay where you are." Egypt's military moved to tighten its control on key institutions Wednesday, even putting officers in the newsroom of state TV, in preparation for an almost certain push to remove the country's Islamist president when an afternoon ultimatum expires. less

Supporters of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi chant slogans during a rally, in Nasser City, Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. The green card with Arabic reads, "stay where you are." Egypt's ... more

Egyptian police special forces sit on their armored vehicle, protecting a bridge between Tahrir Square and Cairo University, where Muslim Brotherhood supporters have gathered, in Giza, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Egypt's leading democracy advocate Mohamed ElBaradei and top Muslim and Coptic Christian clerics met Wednesday with the army chief to discuss a political road map for Egypt only hours before a military ultimatum to the Islamist president was set to expire. less

Egyptian police special forces sit on their armored vehicle, protecting a bridge between Tahrir Square and Cairo University, where Muslim Brotherhood supporters have gathered, in Giza, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, ... more

A member of Egyptian police special forces stands guard beside an armored vehicle, protecting a bridge between Tahrir Square and Cairo University, where Muslim Brotherhood supporters have gathered, in Giza, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Egypt's leading democracy advocate Mohamed ElBaradei and top Muslim and Coptic Christian clerics met Wednesday with the army chief to discuss a political road map for Egypt only hours before a military ultimatum to the Islamist president was set to expire. less

A member of Egyptian police special forces stands guard beside an armored vehicle, protecting a bridge between Tahrir Square and Cairo University, where Muslim Brotherhood supporters have gathered, in Giza, ... more

Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi shout slogans during a protest in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. A Defense Ministry official said army chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi is meeting with his top commanders, hours before the military's deadline to the president and opposition to resolve the nation's political crisis is set to expire. Arabic reads, "Leave." less

Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi shout slogans during a protest in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. A Defense Ministry official said army chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah ... more

Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi bang drums during a protest outside the presidential palace, in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, July 2, 2013. Egypt was on edge Tuesday following a "last-chance" ultimatum the military issued to Mohammed Morsi, giving the president and the opposition 48 hours to resolve the crisis in the country or have the army step in with its own plan. less

Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi bang drums during a protest outside the presidential palace, in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, July 2, 2013. Egypt was on edge Tuesday following a "last-chance" ... more

An military helicopter flies over an opponent if Egyptian Islamist President Mohammed Morsi as he waves a national flag, in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, July 2, 2013. With a military deadline for intervention ticking down, protesters seeking the ouster of Egypt's Islamist president sought Tuesday to push the embattled leader further toward the edge with another massive display of people power. less

An military helicopter flies over an opponent if Egyptian Islamist President Mohammed Morsi as he waves a national flag, in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, July 2, 2013. With a military deadline for ... more

Photo: AP

An military helicopter flies over an opponent if Egyptian Islamist... Photo-4874738.65742 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi shout slogans during a protest in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Egypt's military moved to tighten its control on key institutions Wednesday, even putting officers in the newsroom of state TV, in preparation for an almost certain push to remove the country's Islamist president when an afternoon ultimatum expires. less

Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi shout slogans during a protest in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Egypt's military moved to tighten its control on key institutions ... more

Egyptian police special forces stand guard beside an armored vehicle, protecting a bridge between Tahrir Square and Cairo University, where Muslim Brotherhood supporters have gathered, in Giza, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Egypt's leading democracy advocate Mohamed ElBaradei and top Muslim and Coptic Christian clerics met Wednesday with the army chief to discuss a political road map for Egypt only hours before a military ultimatum to the Islamist president was set to expire. less

Egyptian police special forces stand guard beside an armored vehicle, protecting a bridge between Tahrir Square and Cairo University, where Muslim Brotherhood supporters have gathered, in Giza, Egypt, ... more

An Egyptian man rides a bicicle past an armored vehicle protecting a bridge between Tahrir Square and Cairo University, where Muslim Brotherhood supporters have gathered, in Giza, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Egypt's leading democracy advocate Mohamed ElBaradei and top Muslim and Coptic Christian clerics met Wednesday with the army chief to discuss a political road map for Egypt only hours before a military ultimatum to the Islamist president was set to expire. less

An Egyptian man rides a bicicle past an armored vehicle protecting a bridge between Tahrir Square and Cairo University, where Muslim Brotherhood supporters have gathered, in Giza, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, ... more

Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi shout slogans as they carry a symbolic coffin of Morsi during a protest in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. A Defense Ministry official said army chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi is meeting with his top commanders, hours before the military's deadline to the president and opposition to resolve the nation's political crisis is set to expire. Arabic reads, "Lamb." less

Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi shout slogans as they carry a symbolic coffin of Morsi during a protest in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. A Defense Ministry ... more

Blood stains the ground after opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi slaughter lambs as symbols of Morsi and Muslim Brotherhood leaders during a protest in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Egypt's military held an emergency meeting Wednesday hours ahead of its deadline for the country's embattled Islamist president to yield to the demands of millions of protesters or face intervention by the army, a defense official said. Arabic reads, "June 30, the end of Brotherhood." less

Blood stains the ground after opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi slaughter lambs as symbols of Morsi and Muslim Brotherhood leaders during a protest in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, ... more

Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi prepare to slaughter lambs as symbols of Morsi and Muslim Brotherhood leaders during a protest in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Egypt's military held an emergency meeting Wednesday hours ahead of its deadline for the country's embattled Islamist president to yield to the demands of millions of protesters or face intervention by the army, a defense official said. The Arabic reads, "June 30, the end of the Brotherhood." less

Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi prepare to slaughter lambs as symbols of Morsi and Muslim Brotherhood leaders during a protest in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. ... more

An opponent of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi shouts slogans during a protest in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. A Defense Ministry official said army chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi is meeting with his top commanders, hours before the military's deadline to the president and opposition to resolve the nation's political crisis is set to expire. Arabic read " leave." less

An opponent of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi shouts slogans during a protest in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. A Defense Ministry official said army chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah ... more

This image made from video shows Lt. Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi addressing the nation on Egyptian State Television Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Egypt's military chief says president is replaced by chief justice of constitutional court. less

This image made from video shows Lt. Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi addressing the nation on Egyptian State Television Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Egypt's military chief says president is replaced by chief justice of ... more

Egyptians celebrate moments after Egypt's military chief says the president is replaced by chief justice of constitutional court outside the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Egypt's military has suspended the Islamist-backed constitution and called early elections. The military also announced that embattled President Mohammed Morsi will be replaced.Cheers erupted among millions of protesters nationwide who were demanding Morsi's ouster. less

Egyptians celebrate moments after Egypt's military chief says the president is replaced by chief justice of constitutional court outside the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Egypt's ... more

Egyptians celebrate at a tea house at Defense Minister Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's announcement in Cairo's Zamalek district Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Egypt's military has suspended the Islamist-backed constitution and called early elections. The military also announced that embattled President Mohammed Morsi will be replaced.Cheers erupted among millions of protesters nationwide who were demanding Morsi's ouster. less

Egyptians celebrate at a tea house at Defense Minister Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's announcement in Cairo's Zamalek district Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Egypt's military has suspended the Islamist-backed ... more

Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi celebrate outside the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Army troops backed by armor and including commandos have deployed across much of the Egyptian capital, near protest sites and at key facilities and major intersections. The deployment is part of a bid by the military to tighten its control of key institutions Wednesday, slapping a travel ban on embattled president Mohammed Morsi and top allies in preparation for an almost certain push to remove the Islamist president with the expiration of an afternoon deadline. less

Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi celebrate outside the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Army troops backed by armor and including commandos have deployed ... more